Mets’ Jacob deGrom leaves team for son’s impending birth

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Starting pitcher Jacob deGrom has left the New York Mets to join his wife as she gives birth to their first son in Florida, according to ESPN’s Adam Rubin.

Manager Terry Collins told reporters that there is no immediate plan to put deGrom on paternity leave and replace him with a starter from Triple A Las Vegas. deGrom threw 76 pitches through six sharp innings in his season debut against the Philadelphia Phillies. He surrendered just one run and five hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

He was pulled as the Mets were cautious about tightness in his right lat. By not putting deGrom on the disabled list, the team would not be able to backdate any future disabled list stint to his last start, if it is required.